How could john adams defend the british soldiers but still be seen as a patriot?

The reason that John Adams was still seen as a Patriot even though he defended the British soldiers was due to the fact that Adams defended the soldiers because many Patriots' believe in justice.

Adams clearly knew that the case was dangerous if he took it, and even Adams’ exact motivations are not known. He also knew that his ambitions and economic future will be put in to danger if his reputation was tarnished. Yet, he strongly believed that the British soldiers were qualified in getting a fair trial and that people and history might see him as the main who relinquished his personal belief to enforce his principle.

i would say it is the roman empire europe after the norman conquest.